I agree, I don't like much of the advice this article gives. It seems trite. I think it often ignores the human factor and comes across very wooden and one-way—sit your employee down and instruct them so-and-so. I'd like to see more emphasis on active listening, and (as you said) consideration of outside circumstances.

I'd also like to #include SilverBirch's post, which has some especially deep wisdom: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37164426